a wealthy philanthropist with a vision to restore San Francisco’s golden-gate brand. Mayor Lurie has secured more than $120 million in private dollars along with the largest city budget ever – to clean up and revitalize the city.

Major new public art installations like The Big Art Loop transform San Francisco’s city streets into an open-air gallery with 100 large sculptures. SF LIVE, a One-Stop Shop for San Francisco’s Arts and Entertainment that already features great music, theater, dance, and comedy, now includes museums and galleries as they continue to drive the city’s economic recovery. The mayor announced a new season of live music in Golden Gate Park, free opera performances in Crane Cove Park and celebrated the return of SF Music Week, a nod to the city’s renowned music scene. “With new museums, galleries, neighborhood profiles, and an interactive event map, it will be easy for residents and visitors to discover so many exciting opportunities in our city. Arts and culture are leading our comeback, “ said Mayor Lurie.

By all accounts hotel bookings and conventions have surged, breathing new life into restaurants, entertainment and cultural venues. There’s a major resurgence in high-profile store openings such as Nordstom, Polo Ralph Lauren and Zara. All point to a Renaissance in this famed creative capital. Additionally, dozens of new retailers are opening downtown, including creative local fashion brand, ZastaStudio that launched inside the esteemed Palace Hotel.

Stay 
The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, with its stunning historic grandeur and prime downtown location on New Montgomery Street near BART, Muni, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Union Square – is the perfect place to park yourself while exploring the picturesque city. Originally opened in 1875, The Palace was the largest and most luxurious hotel in the world. Destroyed in the great fire in 1906 it was completely rebuilt and opened again in 1909. A legendary social and political hub, this timeless treasure continues to be the landmark hotel in San Francisco with a history of hosting presidents and celebrities. SFPalace.com

Rooms
The gorgeous property feels like a Royal Palace with its marble floors, imposing columns, and ornate ceilings. Elegant rooms and suites in various categories feature solid oak doors with monogrammed brass doorknobs, light blue walls with white moldings, grand eleven- foot ceilings, expansive windows, refined furnishings in neutral tones of cream and wood and custom one of a kind pieces that create the feel of a posh, private residence. Large beds with plush Frette linens are supremely comfortable. Luxurious marble bathrooms contain TOTO washlets with heated seats and bathtubs that call out for indulgent soaks. Luxe Frette robes and slippers and Le Chemin by Byredo bath products are truly fit for a Queen or King.

Amenities
The famous Garden Court Restaurant, an architectural gem with Italian marble columns, Austrian crystal chandeliers, and magnificent domed roof with more than 70,000 panes of stained glass, makes an unparalleled breakfast or afternoon tea. And the gorgeous Pied Piper Bar with 16-foot eponymous Maxfield Parrish masterpiece dazzles above the century-old oak bar in the same spot since the hotel’s reopening in 1909.

Guests love the sky-lit, glass-ceiling indoor heated pool and fitness center. The posh Palace is perfect for meetings and high profile corporate engagements. Marvel at The Landmark 18 museum on the Lobby Level with its curated collection of historic photographs and artifacts of legendary visitors.

Near by Night Spots:
The lively city is home to some great live music venues with two of the best steps from the Palace Hotel. The classy art deco inspired Dawn Club on Annie Street and glam Local Edition Lounge in the historic Hearst Building on Market Street where guests view the city’s history via newspaper clippings adorning the walls, feature jazz, blues, swing, salsa and more plus dancing and high end cocktails.

Eat
Speaking of history, the Ferry Building, which debuted in 1898 is one of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks. The heart of this historic waterfront destination, The Ferry Building Marketplace, showcases a dazzling collection of mostly local shops, restaurants, and artisanal delights that celebrate the region’s rich culture and culinary heritage. ferrybuildingmarketplace.com. A visit to acclaimed Hog Island Oyster Co is a must! Many say these are the best oysters ever. Lucky guests savor exquisitely fresh totally addictive oysters, steamed clams, sublime seafood stew, luscious mussels, the best clam chowder and more with wine, craft cocktails and stunning water views. hogislandoysters.com

Elegant Alora, a 5 minute walk from the Ferry Building set right on the scenic waterfront delivers impressive coastal Mediterranean fare with California accents and beautiful bay views. Feast on tastiest Muhammara made with walnuts and pomegranate seeds with fresh Zatar flatbread, crudo with sumac, Mt Lassen Trout and grilled to perfection branzino along with fine California wine. Visitalora.com In a city that is endlessly flavorful, attention must be paid when something is so outstanding that it deserves high praise. Barcha, a temple of gastronomic inspiration, is one such place. Located downtown on Freemont Street the menu reflects flavors from South of France, Spain, Tunisia and the Middle East. Creative, perfectly executed dishes like their exquisite homemade hummus with roasted corn, feta, peppers, harissa yogurt, Persian saffron rice with barberries, pistachio, almond, chick peas, carrots, tahini with lamb and beef dumplings with aleppo danced on my palate. barcha-sf.com

Culture
Museums are thriving with record visitors attending the acclaimed Matisse exhibit at SFMOMA and “Monet and Venice” at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park near the enchanting Botanical Garden and Japanese Tea Gardens. San Francisco CityPASS allows easy entry to museums and other top attractions. citypass.com

Mayor Lurie’s Goal – “If everybody around the world is, like, ‘I’ve got to be in San Francisco again.’’